Year 8 Humanities Medieval: Medieval Costumes

The surcoat is a loose garment worn over armour. This is a simple tutorial to show you how to create a Surcoat from two rectangles of fabric.

Another tutorial on making a Surcoat. This tutorial has a bit more information about the Surcoat and some creative ideas.

Here is an easy and basic tutorial about how to make your own undergarment in linen or cotton.

If you are stuck for fabric, an old sheet works well!

Made from a heavier fabric such as wool or an old blanket.

A thinner fabric can be used as an underdress, a thicker fabric can be used as an overdress.

Many interesting tutorials including headwear.

Medieval English Fashion:
Materials and Colours
Underclothes
Outer Clothes
Cloaks and Mantles
Gloves, Hats, and Footwear
Social Display and Control

The Evolution of Fashion
Clothing as Status
Women's Clothing of the High Middle Ages
Costumes of the Middle Ages - Women in the 1300s
Clothing of the Late Middle Ages - The Houppelande
Headgear of the Middle Ages
Hats, Veils, and Head Coverings
Horn Head Dress
The Birth of Fashion
Gothic Fashion of the Middle Ages
Costumes of the Middle Ages - 1450

A good little website looking into the various different types of kirtle, kyrtle, kirtill, tunic, cotte or gowns that were the main garment of a medieval woman's wardrobe.

A quick tutorial on how to make a laced up kirtle.

A more complex tutorial showing you how to make your own buttons and button holes.

Knitting pattern

This site supplies equipment and instructions to make your own chainmail.